What do religious concepts such as flesh, nature, creation and spirit suggest for our understanding of body, mind, and matter? Conversely, what do new theories of mind, matter, and emotion suggest regarding these religious discourses and practices? How are agency, gender, politics, and the environment construed and lived in light of various paradigms of matter? Primary religious texts such as Augustine's Confessions and Spinoza's Ethics are examined in light of these questions.
Rhetoric
Study of the principles, precepts, and strategies of informative, persuasive, and ceremonial speaking. Emphasis is placed on assessing the rhetorical situation and researching, composing, practicing, and delivering a speech. Ethical, political, and social questions raised by speaking in public are considered. Students deliver speeches, practice effective listening, and serve as speech critics and interlocutors.
Study of the principles, precepts, and strategies of informative, persuasive, and ceremonial speaking. Emphasis is placed on assessing the rhetorical situation and researching, composing, practicing, and delivering a speech. Ethical, political, and social questions raised by speaking in public are considered. Students deliver speeches, practice effective listening, and serve as speech critics and interlocutors.
Topical survey of the major questions and controversies in rhetorical theory, criticism, and practice, including rhetorical situations, classical canons of rhetoric, the role of rhetoric in civic life, and the relationship of rhetoric to power, politics, law, education, and ethics. Students consider the rights and responsibilities of speakers and critics. Accordingly, readings include selections from a wide array of rhetorical theorists and critics as well as a diverse and open canon of orators and speakers.
In this survey of the expectations for successful speaking across several disciplines, students will explore the techniques, strategies, and precepts peer and professional tutors may employ to help student speakers and listeners attain their goals. Participants will examine samples of student speaking and listening, discuss possible responses, and develop model interactions between and among tutors and students.
Survey of the principles and practices of rhetorical inquiry. Focus on approaches to rhetorical criticism, rhetorical history, the history of rhetoric, and archival research. Exposure to the wide array of methodologies, critical perspectives, and citation standards in humanities-based scholarship. Prepares students to write senior-level papers and theses in rhetorical studies.
A seminar on a topic related to rhetoric. This course may be repeated for credit when the topic differs.
Intercultural Communication focuses on the importance of culture in our everyday lives, and the ways in which culture relates to and influences communication processes. With the goal of increasing students’ Intercultural Communication Competence, this interdisciplinary course examines several topics including: identity, perception, culture shock, cultural adaptation, linguistic differences, nonverbal communication, among others. Through a practical application of theory and research, students will explore intercultural communication in a global context relating to the family, education, media, and business.
Russian
An introduction to the fundamentals of the language and culture with emphasis on communicative proficiency, clarity of pronunciation and basic skills in reading, writing, and conversation. Use of language laboratory required. Four hours of class each week, plus an additional conversation meeting with a native speaker.
Completion of grammar; intensive readings from authentic materials in Russian with emphasis on continued development of conversational and writing skills. Required weekly conversation meeting with a native speaker.
A study of short prose in Russian from the 19th century. Authors studied may include (but are not limited to) Pushkin, Lermontov, Gogol, Turgenev, Tolstoy, and Chekhov.
Shared readings in the Russian language on key topics that connect to students’ interests: politics, society, film, environmental studies, economics, culture, literature, media, etc. Each student also engages in research on a topic of their interest and choosing, culminating in a research essay and an oral presentation. This seminar prepares students for the rigorous Russian comprehensive exam while continuing to hone advanced Russian communication skills.
Southern Appalachian Studies
Integrating local, regional, and global perspectives, this course outlines the history of agriculture, introduces the development of food systems and policy, and reviews the environmental impact of food production. Among topics addressed are the history of agricultural expansion in the US, the development of agriculture and food policies, interaction among agricultural markets at home as well as abroad, and sustainable agriculture. Classroom activities emphasize the involvement of multiple constituencies in identifying and articulating agricultural issues. Field opportunities include garden activities and local trips aimed at relating broader issues to how livelihoods are pursued on the Cumberland Plateau.
Public historians work with a variety of people and non-academic institutions, including community heritage groups, historical societies, and museums. In this course, students will explore the practice of conducting historical research in support of projects proposed by these institutions. This course will blend theory and experience by examining the cultural, intellectual, and economic implications of conducting public history research while exploring the practical aspects of conducting public history fieldwork.
Spanish
Part II of a year-long intensive, introductory course with emphasis on the fundamentals of grammar (both written and spoken) and extensive practice in listening comprehension and reading. Four class hours per week.
Part II of a year-long intensive, introductory course with emphasis on the fundamentals of grammar (both written and spoken) and extensive practice in listening comprehension and reading. Four class hours per week.
Part II of a year-long intensive, introductory course with emphasis on the fundamentals of grammar (both written and spoken) and extensive practice in listening comprehension and reading. Four class hours per week.
An intensive grammar review. Emphasis is on correct expression, vocabulary acquisition, and reading facility. Four class hours per week.
An intensive grammar review. Emphasis is on correct expression, vocabulary acquisition, and reading facility. Four class hours per week.
An intensive grammar review. Emphasis is on correct expression, vocabulary acquisition, and reading facility. Four class hours per week.